Please see the eligibility section of the homepage here.

Unfortunately, citizens of non-participating countries cannot apply to the JET Programme. Participants can only join the JET Programme through the Japanese Embassy in a participating country. Please contact the Japanese Embassy in your country of citizenship and express your interest in the JET Programme.

It may be possible to participate as an ALT. Please contact the Japanese Embassy in your country of citizenship.

No, you must have a Bachelor's Degree or three-year teacher training certification or obtain one by the time you depart for Japan.

You can apply for JET if you have completed at least a three-year education/teacher training programme that qualifies you to teach at elementary, junior high or high schools as of the time you depart for Japan.

No, all applicants must meet the eligibility criteria, which include at least a Bachelor’s Degree or three-year teacher training certification by the time of departure for Japan.

A teaching certificate or diploma is not a requirement for participation on the JET Programme, but such certification will certainly be an asset during the selection process.

TESL/TEFL certification is not a requirement for participation on the JET Programme but such certification will certainly be an asset during the selection process.

No, a Bachelor’s Degree in any field is sufficient to meet the eligibility criteria.

No, teaching experience is not a requirement for participation on the JET Programme. However, many successful applicants, especially those who are chosen as ALTs, have some degree of teaching experience, and such experience will certainly be an asset.

Yes, you can participate on the JET Programme even if you do not speak any Japanese. However, if accepted you are expected to make a continual effort to learn and improve your Japanese skills in order to better communicate with the people around you.

Applicants for the CIR position must demonstrate an excellent grasp of written and spoken Japanese. CIR applicants have typically studied Japanese for a minimum of two years at the university level. CIRs are tested in Japanese at the interview. Most CIRs have a minimum of Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 Certification, with many CIRs holding Level 1, but this certification is not necessary to be a successful candidate.

No, as long as the applicant meets all other eligibility criteria, there is no minimum age requirement. However, applicants will be judged on maturity, professionalism, and ability to adjust to other cultures.

Yes, you can apply, but you should understand that the JET Programme was conceived as a youth exchange programme. If you understand the goals of the JET Programme and have the ability to accomplish these goals, you should feel free to apply.

The reason for this age limit is that one of the main purposes of the Programme is to foster youth-to-youth exchange between Japanese youth and young professionals from the countries participating on the JET Programme.

Participation on the JET Programme is only possible if you are able to complete the entire one-year contract. If you are unable to fulfil this requirement you should immediately notify the Embassy of Japan and withdraw your name from consideration.

No, JET Programme participants must agree to the Terms and Conditions which stipulate a one-year contract.

No, if accepted on JET, applicants may NOT defer the position for any length of time.